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Evaluation of four gamma-based methods for calculating confidence intervals for age-adjusted mortality rates when data are sparse
Makram Talih, Robert N. Anderson, Jennifer D. Parker. Population Health Metrics, 2022-05-07
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
The three modifications had comparable performance when the number of deaths was large relative to the denominator and the age distribution was as in the standard population. However, for sparse county-level data by race/ethnicity for rarer causes of death, and for which the age distribution differed sharply from the standard population, coverage probability in all but the Fay-Feuer method sometimes fell below 0.95. More efficient intervals than the Fay-Feuer interval were identified under specific circumstances. When the coefficient of variation of the age-adjustment weights was below 0.5, the Anderson-Rosenberg and Tiwari intervals appeared to be more efficient, whereas when it was above 0.5, the Fay-Kim interval appeared to be more efficient. As national and international agencies reassess prevailing data presentation standards to release age-adjusted estimates for smaller areas or population subgroups than previously presented, the Fay-Feuer interval can be used to develop interval-based statistical reliability standards with appropriate thresholds that are generally applicable. For data that meet certain statistical conditions, more efficient intervals could be considered.
Key findings
- The three modifications had comparable performance when the number of deaths was large relative to the denominator and the age distribution was as in the standard population.
- However, for sparse county-level data by race/ethnicity for rarer causes of death, and for which the age distribution differed sharply from the standard population, coverage probability in all but the Fay-Feuer method sometimes fell below 0.95.
- More efficient intervals than the Fay-Feuer interval were identified under specific circumstances.
- When the coefficient of variation of the age-adjustment weights was below 0.5, the Anderson-Rosenberg and Tiwari intervals appeared to be more efficient, whereas when it was above 0.5, the Fay-Kim interval appeared to be more efficient.
- As national and international agencies reassess prevailing data presentation standards to release age-adjusted estimates for smaller areas or population subgroups than previously presented, the Fay-Feuer interval can be used to develop interval-based statistical reliability standards with appropriate thresholds that are generally applicable.
Why it matters
This study compared statistical methods for calculating confidence intervals for age-adjusted death rates when data are sparse. It is a methods paper and does not address treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 36/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Population Health Metrics) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Population Health Metrics: journal h-index 87 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2022 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 6 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.0 citations a year over 6 year(s) since 2022 |
| Impact for its field and year | 1 / 6 | Cited 0.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 5 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Jennifer D. Parker: h-index 39 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: institution h-index 1,304 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 4 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 35525928) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 36 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/s12963-022-00288-1
- PubMed: 35525928
- Original source →
- Free full text: Population Health Metrics →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Talih, M., Anderson, R. N., & Parker, J. D. (2022). Evaluation of four gamma-based methods for calculating confidence intervals for age-adjusted mortality rates when data are sparse. Population Health Metrics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12963-022-00288-1
Vancouver
Talih M, Anderson RN, Parker JD. Evaluation of four gamma-based methods for calculating confidence intervals for age-adjusted mortality rates when data are sparse. Population Health Metrics. 2022. doi:10.1186/s12963-022-00288-1. PMID: 35525928.
BibTeX
@article{talih2022-35525928,
author = {Talih, Makram and Anderson, Robert N. and Parker, Jennifer D.},
title = {{Evaluation of four gamma-based methods for calculating confidence intervals for age-adjusted mortality rates when data are sparse}},
journal = {Population Health Metrics},
year = {2022},
doi = {10.1186/s12963-022-00288-1},
pmid = {35525928},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12963-022-00288-1}
}